Theatre Studies

A guide to the principles and procedures of formal script analysis based on the premise that plays are objects of study in themselves. It takes plays apart to see what makes the written portion of a play "tick". All the concepts are illustrated with concrete examples. Learn More

In this text Oddey interviews prominent performing women, spanning generations, cultures, perspectives, practice and the best part of the 20th century. Performers from across the board, including actresses and stand ups, discuss why they want to perform and what motivates them. Learn More

Actor Robert Stephens recounts in these memoirs how he fell in love with Maggie Smith, was nearly seduced by Marlene Dietrich and rubbed shoulders with, among others, Olivier, Noel Coward, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave. Learn More

Peggy Ashcroft was one of the great actresses of the 20th century, being equally at home with the classics as with contemporary drama. Her official biography concentrated only on her professional life, but here family, friends and colleagues have co-operated to make this biography a fuller picture. Learn More

A collection of classical audition speeches selected from plays spanning the following periods; Elizabethan-Jacobean, Restoration, 18th century and late 19th to early 20th century. For each speech a synopsis of the scene is outlined and the age and accent of the character listed. Learn More

Stanislavski's 'system' or interpretations of it - has become the central force determining almost every performance we see on stage or screen. An Actor Prepares has stood the test of time as an inspirational guide for actors all over the world and was the original English language translation. A classic text for every actors library. Learn More

This text presents a collection of 50 audition speeches for women selected from the finest plays from the 1970s to today. They cover a wide range of mood and character, from comedy to tragedy, from youth to old age. Each piece is accompanied by a synopsis setting the extract firmly in context. Learn More